Happy New Year

 Goodbye, 2020; it certainly was a year to remember... We are looking forward to what God has in store in 2021. 

Work For Food

 On New Year's Eve, we made sushi. Each person had to make at least one roll, while Bob knocked out a bunch of sashimi. Our little kitchen is certainly not made for seven people, but we had fun. For sushi lovers, this was a great way to end 2020. 

Perfect Gift

 Our Michigan friends are creative and generous gift-givers. Each one of us received a thoughtful and carefully selected gift. Noah is looking forward to adorning his bike with turquoise tassels for the handlebars... Well, maybe that was the gag gift. He is planning to add the light-bell combo to his bike, however. 

They Are Here

 Just in time for dinner on Wednesday evening, our Michigan friends arrived. They barely found time to eat before it was time to embark on "Project Arcade Game." Over the next few days, they programmed, designed, tested, shopped for more parts, and spent time in the workshop fashioning the game console case. 

It WAS a Nice Gingerbread House

 Lukas and Noah decorated a gingerbread house before we headed to Missouri. Apparently, the house was a bit one-sided after a few days; some of the decorations found new purposes, i.e., were eaten. Noah took it upon himself to do the final demolition of the house before our guests arrive. 

Winter Sunrise

 God's mercies are new every morning. This is the sunrise that greeted us on one of the shortest days
of the year. 

Getting Ready

 We had friends coming to town for New Year. The four friends had planned out the activities, and Lukas and Noah did some preliminary work to make sure everything was set for a fruitful project. 

Second Christmas

 After we had unpacked the car, emptied bags, and restocked the fridge, it was time to host the Arizona Christmas. It paled in comparison to the MO celebration. Lukas and Noah were excited to get their hands on more contraptions that they had wished for - if only it was known to the giver what the contraption was... 

Having had such lavish meals for several days, we opted out of another Christmas dinner and settled for cookies. 

On the Road Again

 Our fully loaded Honda, with Bob at the steering wheel, brought us back to Arizona.  It was sad to leave Missouri but good to be back home. 

Christmas Day

 Since there are no longer any antsy toddlers in the midst, we started slow. By the time it was complete, Christmas morning ought to be more properly re-named Chrismas Morning, noon, and afternoon. It was fun to dig into the fully loaded stockings with the brown bag overflow. After a delicious breakfast, it was time for gifts. We oohed and aahed over each present that was opened. Once the wrappings were gathered in plastic trash bags, some took a nap, others did a puzzle, and others visited in the comfy living room—an absolutely perfect Christmas celebration. The day ended with yet another amazing meal, traditional crackers, and exquisite desserts. 

As we packed up the car, it was hard to say goodbye. Was it really time to head back to Arizona already? 

Christmas Eve Traditions Continue

 We enjoyed a bountiful spread of soups and sandwiches followed by cookies and treats. On the beautifully laid table were the traditional crackers, which means we all wore stately crowns, laughed at the jokes, and traded trinkets between bites. Melody had a hard time corralling her motley crew orchestra, but we sure laughed a lot. 

Bob, Lukas, and Noah were Santa's helpers to fill the stockings with the many and thoughtful gifts Joel had procured and graciously shipped to Missouri. 

Christmas Eve is not complete without reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas," which Bob did so well as all of us gathered around. 

Driving back to the hotel, we saw Christmas lights all over town - some things don't change even in Covid season.